What are some important events in the history of New York City?

A:

Quick Answer

Some important events in New York City history include the fire at the Triangle Shirt Waist factory in 1911, the stock market crash in 1929 and the terrorist attacks of 2001. These events are significant not only for their impact on New York City, but for how they affected the nation and the world.

Keep Learning

The fire at the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory occurred on March 25, 1911, and killed 186 people within 20 minutes. An investigation revealing deplorable working conditions sparked outrage and led to sweeping reforms designed to reduce the use of child labor and improve worker safety. These reforms also led to higher costs for manufacturers and the relocation of many industries overseas, giving rise to the global economy.

The stock market crash on Oct. 29, 1929, caused the loss of billions of dollars and unimaginable levels of unemployment and poverty that spread around the world. The severity and duration of the ensuing Great Depression led to the rise of the Nazi party in Germany and was an indirect cause of World War II, which resulted in the death and displacement of hundreds of millions of people and the development of nuclear weapons.

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, are also significant because of the tragic results and the profound impact they had on the city, the nation and the world. Americans no longer have the sense of security they once enjoyed and have accepted increased levels of government authority and unprecedented deficit levels.